Need

"In this exploration of the dark side of social media, and government control and manipulation, the teenagers in a small town are drawn deeper and deeper into a social networking site that promises to grant their every need -- regardless of the consequences"--Provided by publisher.

"I Am the Messenger" meets "Runt" in this gripping thriller about an exclusive social media site that offers teens at a Wisconsin high school what they NEED in exchange for fulfilling a mission for the site. The story is told through the eyes of several of the students using the site, and their motivations are convincingly explored by the author as the situation escalates and the mystery begins to unfold. Those sensitive or violence (or a little bit of language) might want to approach this book with caution, but those interested in exploring the power of social media, teenage pressures, or the difference between a want and a need will find much to chew on here.

The premise behind this was utterly fascinating in the age of ever-present social media and online access, and I was immediately gripped by the story. I tore through the pages just so I could find out how far these kids would go to have their needs (read: wants) fulfilled. It grew very dark, very quickly. If someone is looking for a psychological thriller, this would definitely be a title I would consider recommending for that reader. Some of the plot points did seem a little sensational, occasionally far-fetched, and sometimes overly convoluted than it needed to be. But it did feel very real during other moments. I was less enamored with the ending and had correctly predicted the primary instigator behind it all. It feels like a standalone book, but I wouldn't be surprised if a sequel or series may be squeezed out of the concept. The set-up is gripping; I didn't want to put it down. However, the ending was less than impressive.

This book is a really good read. Before I even knew it, I was finished it; took me less than 24 hours to read it. Although some parts were a bit dry, and there were too many narrators (many of which were not fully developed characters, who just pop up every now and then), I really enjoyed the way each chapter ended with a suspenseful statement that made putting down the book impossible.